Bad Cholesterol, Virtual Reality, and Its Relationship with Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease in which the sufferer will experience cognitive decline which is increasingly burdensome. In the initial stages, there will be a mild memory loss. While in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's, sufferers are unable to communicate and interact with the surrounding environment.
Early Alzheimer's and bad cholesterol
Millions of people around the world experience Alzheimer's dementia when they are old. But in some dementia groups, Alzheimer's occurs earlier, ie before the age of 65 years. Various factors that cause this are still being investigated. One factor that is suspected is bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein (LDL).
Alzheimer's is influenced by genetic factors, precisely the expression of the APOE4 E4 gene associated with high LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. High LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries and cause blockages. This condition increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Research published in JAMA Neurology proves the relationship of LDL cholesterol with early Alzheimer's events. Researchers conducted an analysis of the genes of 2,125 respondents who had quite high LDL cholesterol levels. The result, 654 of the respondents had early Alzheimer's, while the rest were healthy respondents.
Each respondent was examined for the expression of the APOE E4 gene and other genetic variants that were suspected to influence, such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. Researchers also took blood samples from 267 people with Alzheimer's to check LDL cholesterol levels. From the group of early Alzheimer's sufferers, 10.1% had the APOE E4 gene variant, while other gene variants were found as much as 3%.
In addition to genetic variants, one of the risk factors that is thought to influence is a mutation of the APOB gene. APOB genes play a role in regulating proteins that affect fat metabolism that play a role in the process of cholesterol formation in the body.
Virtual reality, a new breakthrough detects and monitors Alzheimer's
Research from the University of Cambridge made a breakthrough by using virtual reality (VR) to monitor Alzheimer's disease. VR can be a more accurate measurement tool than a standard examination to assess cognitive function.
VR also has the opportunity to be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's. Although it has not been tried on humans, animal experiments are underway. If the experiment is successful, then the experiment will begin by involving human participants.
Cognitive tests that already exist today cannot be used to test the navigation difficulties experienced. VR research was conducted involving 45 people who experienced mild cognitive decline and 41 people who did not have cognitive decline. All respondents will be given a VR headset and asked to walk in a simulated environment that appears.
In addition, researchers are also developing new application-based technology to help track changes in daily activities and early detection of Alzheimer's. Various studies to understand Alzheimer's disease are expected to be able to open the way to be able to prevent the occurrence, slow down, and possible treatment for sufferers of Alzheimer's.
0 Response to "Bad Cholesterol, Virtual Reality, and Its Relationship with Alzheimer's"
Post a Comment